Parkinson’s has a way of making us lose who we are. We don’t walk like we used to. We don’t move like we used to. We don’t talk like we used to. We don’t laugh like we used to. We don’t eat like we used to. Our total body functions don’t function like they used to. And, when we look in the mirror, we see a stranger…if we are lucky, we still see a little bit of who used to look back at us. We used to be afraid of death. Now we are afraid of life.
We are afraid of life with a walker. We are afraid of life in a wheelchair. We are afraid of life…that is, life as we project it will be in the future. However, this kind of fear is FEAR (False Evidence Appearing Real). It is only appearing real because that is the current view of the medical profession. But it is false evidence…look at me, look at Marie, look at Penny and Teri and Leo and Barry and Nancy and Laurie and Pratima, and all of the other people who regularly post comments about how well they are doing in their recovery. Recovery, at any level, is not part of the current medical profession’s viewpoint regarding Parkinson’s, but together we are making strides to change that…get rid of your fear and FEAR!
Get off the path to Parkinson’sville, that place filled with fear and worry and FEAR! Parkinson’s wants us to get cozy in Parkinson’sville because the more we worry and the more we have fear and the more we have FEAR, the more Parkinson’s gets to be who we are. We get absolutely lost in Parkinson’sville and cannot seem to find our way out, so we walk and talk and act and look like we belong there. It doesn’t have to be that way just because the medical profession is lagging behind our community regarding recovery.
What if we choose the path that is not the path to Parkinson’sville? What if we choose the path that is the path to Recoveryville so we can find ourselves again? What if we decide to live in the moment? What if we choose the path of acceptance? Acceptance? Yes, ACCEPTANCE!
Parkinson’s: “I may make you have to walk with a walker.”
Us: “Okay.”
Parkinson’s: “I may put you in a wheelchair.”
Us: “Okay.”
Parkinson’s: “What do you mean, ‘Okay.’ Aren’t you worried?”
Us: “No, we have exchanged worry for acceptance.”
Parkinson’s: “What do you mean, ‘Okay.’ Aren’t you afraid?”
Us: “No, we have exchanged fear for acceptance.” “Oh, yes, and by the way, we are doing the Recipe for Recovery and we will beat you, Parkinson’s.”
Acceptance let’s us live in the moment and enjoy life as it is. Acceptance removes negative emotions and defeats FEAR. If we can accept things as they are, then we have no reason to worry about the future and we have no fear of the future, which snowballs into defeating FEAR of the future.
And then we find ourselves. Our new selves. Our new selves who find the strength and faith and perseverance to get on the path and find the way out of Parkinson’sville…those new selves heading down the path toward Recoveryville. How refreshing is that!
So, let me hear you say it: “I have Parkinson’s, and I accept that. However, I have the power to heal myself and I am beating Parkinson’s. I will win and I will fully recover!”
Go ahead, you can say it again…and again…and again!
Aren’t you worth it?
All my best,
Howard
very encouraging very well framed i am sure all are going to recoveryville as soon as possible . i cant wait, not after reading such a fabulous blog.
i am worth it. i am going to WIN
Dear friends, I love it when you write you comments! Thanks Pratima, it really keeps the ‘aloneness’ away. And Howard…thank you for NOT giving up. Last night and this morning I gave myself a big SMILE in the mirror, told myself how good I was doing.
This week I had run into a friend at the grocery store who hadn’t seen me for about 4 years. She held my trembling hand and asked about it. “Oh, yes,” I said, “I’m looking forward to the end of this.” Next time I’ll smile BIG when I say it.